It is December and I write to you to wish you all a very wonderful Christmas.

2020 has been an interesting year, but through it all has been the message that God is with us, and God has been with us on this journey through the year.  We now look forward to a new and different 2021.

The Christmas message of God is with us is certainly a very strong message that our God ensures we all hear. We look forward to Christmas, our Churches will be open, hopefully near to full capacity, and I look forward to welcoming you, with our priests, to the Christmas celebrations, the high point of our year.

As we give thanks to God, we also remember those who are not so well off at Christmas time. Again, Volunteers Without Borders, Rose Swadling and Linda Esguerra, will in a very modified way ensure those without Christmas lunch in the Rockhampton area will receive a lunch. It is a wonderful Christmas outreach and hopefully at the end of next year we will be in a much better position to support all these people. Thank you Rose and Linda for welcoming those and providing Christmas lunch.

As we look at this edition of the newsletter you can read about the delightful call from Sr Janine Bliss, a Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sister, and the very important work that she does through ACRATH.  Sr Janine for many years looked after people who have been displaced from the labour force and ensures that everyone gets a fair go.  The article that Sr Kym has assembled on Sr Janine certainly highlights the need for an advocate in this part of our Diocese. Sr Janine has been travelling to Bundaberg and connecting with the itinerate seasonal workers that come and assist with our produce harvesting.

We say farewell to Sr Mary Farrelly sm after 15 years of looking after our people in the Central and Far West of our Diocese. Sr Mary and Sr Cath Lacey arrived together and have covered an extraordinary territory ministering to the families. Sr Cath was recalled to Sydney to become the Congregational Leader five years ago and Sr Mary has since undertaken the Western mission on her own.  A big thank you to you Sr Mary, and my appreciation for the marvellous ministry that you have done supporting our people in the West.

It is the end of the year for all our schools and we wish our Principals, staff and all at Catholic Education a restful holiday, so they may come back refreshed to commence a new school year. Thank you all for your marvellous work in Catholic Education, particularly this year.

Recently, I was invited to the retirement celebrations of Mrs Catherine Dunbar, principal of St Ursula’s College in Yeppoon. Catherine, for the past 15 years, has led St Ursula’s in the most wonderful way, portraying the spirit of Nano Nagel, the founder of the Presentation Sisters. Thank you, Catherine, for being a great leader in our Catholic schools in our Diocese.

The last week of November is normally when we as Bishops travel to Sydney/Melbourne to have the second of our ACBC (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference) meetings. This year all our meetings were conducted online via Zoom. There are many good things coming through - The Light of the Southern Cross document is approved for distribution and the setting up of the new Australian Safeguarding Limited.

There are also big changes in our own Mater and after many years of service to the Mater Mission, Mr Phillip Bauman is retiring from his role. Thank you, Phillip, for the marvellous way you have connected the Diocese and the Mater together to ensure the Mater is really part of our Diocese. We will miss you Phillip in that role. Phillip after 22 years also finished as Chair of the Centacare Council. We thank you Phillip for your incredible leadership in this area and for keeping Centacare aligned with the mission of the Church. We wish you all the very best as God opens new ventures for you.

Recently you would have experienced the new e-event that Nathan Harding, our Community Engagement Manager, has produced. You can click on the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-5RuTUE1Cg and view this e-event. It outlines the various ministries within our Diocese and the work they do and included the ministries of our Seafarers, Western Ministry, Woorabinda, and Prison Ministries. It was a great event in which Cardinal Turkson sent a message to us in the Diocese and praying for our outreach.

Christmas blessings to all who have supported us through this newsletter during the year and with thanks to Sr Kym who has drawn us all together through the stories and the events of the people of our Diocese

Looking forward to 2021 and remembering the Christmas message of God is with us, may God be with you all as you celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Happy and blessed Christmas.

After 15 years in the western pastoral ministry of the Diocese – 9 years shared with Sr. Cath Lacey, now our Unit leader, and 6 years living alone – the decision has been made for me to return to one of our Marist communities in New South Wales. Saying goodbye is not easy and the thought of moving from the country to coastal/suburban life is one that I find challenging. However, I feel blessed in the years that I have had here; blessed too in the people whom I’ve met and in whose lives I’ve been privileged to share. Those who have been regular readers of the Diocesan e-newsletter may recall various accounts in recent years, in which I’ve described something of life in this vast part of the Diocese which seems to be more often in drought than not.  

Sr Mary with Travis and Fr Raj at Jericho

Limited services require people to travel many hundreds of kilometres to Rockhampton or Brisbane in times of emergency or for ongoing medical conditions. Distances are the norm when necessary to go to town to buy supplies or make other business transactions. Neighbours are not people whose homes can be seen from one’s own boundary. The further west one travels, the bigger the properties, not because of increased wealth but because the country is so poor: it is not a case of stock density to the acre, but of how many acres are required to feed one beast. Children learn by distance education only meeting their peers weeks into first term when attending a cluster group or mini school in some central location. It is commonly individual rather than group preparation for the Sacraments of Initiation and is most often by phone rather than face-to-face.  

“On the outer Barcoo where churches are few,

     And men of religion are scanty…”

So A.B. Paterson began his poem, A Bush Christening! Beyond the Longreach Shire and those not so far west, in the Barcoo and the Diamantina Shires, in the Georgina Shire the churches are few and the ministers/priests few to none in residence. As I  have written on different occasions, people may go a long time without participating in a Christian ritual. When there is an opportunity to come together on a property or in a little town, neighbours and friends gladly gather together whatever their denomination. Ecumenism is strong and has the potential to be stronger, to nurture the relationship of the people with our loving God, to focus on what unites us as followers of Jesus, rather than on what can divide us. How to be church differently is a question for serious reflection. 

Truly I feel blessed to have had these years in the western part of the Diocese, to have learnt about and to have experienced some of the challenges which shape the men and women, the children of these rural and especially remote places. Without the possibility of daily Mass (as elsewhere in my life) my own appreciation of the presence of our amazing God within each of us, as Jesus taught his followers, has deepened and I have tried to share this awareness.

That said in recent weeks there have been a number of very special celebrations where children have received the Sacraments. The first was at St. Finnian’s in the little town of Jericho. There is no general store in Jericho and a couple of months ago the one ATM in town was stolen and is unlikely to be replaced. On November 26^th Travis received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion after Bishop Michael gave permission for Fr. Raj to deputise for him.

One morning a few days later, all three Sacraments of Initiation were celebrated. It was November 29^th when family, friends and neighbours came to a property out of Aramac: given Covid restrictions this outdoor celebration allowed more people to attend. Fr. Raj was again the celebrant for Mass. Lincoln, Jake and Cooper received the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion. Following a short break, we regathered for the baptism of Layla. It was a special day for all of the families.

The next Sunday during Mass celebrated by Fr. Shaiju, Taylor and Heidi, two sisters were baptised much to the delight of their family, their Godparents and community members. These are some of the memories which I carry with me as I say goodbye to the Central West and the Western Pastoral Ministry which developed from the aerial ministry – our Church’s outreach to those in rural and remote areas. I will miss the people and the country and being part of this Church. Yet I go with gratitude for all who have made it possible and all who have supported me over the years. May our loving God bless each one.

Sr. Mary, Western Pastoral Ministry  8.12.20

My name is Catherine Simmonds and I am grateful to be able to represent the Diocese of Rockhampton as a Plenary Council delegate.  I have always been a woman of faith and have felt and sought God’s presence and guidance throughout life’s challenges and blessings.  Born and raised in Brisbane, I came to the Diocese of Rockhampton in 2002 to work as a teacher.  My husband Neil, my children Nikeeta and Mitchel and I live at New-Eden, a cattle property at Lake Mary. 

I am deeply committed to my faith and have a great passion for the Catholic Church.  I worship at Holy Family Catholic Church in North Rockhampton with my family.  I participate actively in lay ministry and have been involved in the regional and diocesan assemblies and am the secretary for the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  I am also a Conference member of Vinnies (Sacred Heart Conference) and enjoy working at the shop in Yeppoon each month. 

I am passionate about quality teaching and learning, particularly in Religious Education and am so grateful to work as a member of the FIARE (Formation, Identity and Religious Education) Team at the Catholic Education Office, supporting schools in the Diocese in this area.  I have been very fortunate to participate in professional development and formation opportunities that have deepened my knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith and enabled my faith to grow.

The Catholic church has, to quote St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, “never seen a need without doing something about it.”  The work of lay people, religious and clergy ensured that the sick had a place of healing (through Catholic hospitals), all children are able to access quality education (through Catholic schools), that the elderly receive the care and support needed (through Catholic aged care facilities and services) and the poor and marginalised are given a hand up (through the work of Vinnies, Caritas, Catholic Mission to name but a few charitable organisations).

The Catholic Church has always been mission focussed.  Firstly, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ but also to live the Good News.  We the people are the Church and must work collaboratively with ordained ministers and religious sisters and brothers the life of discipleship, discerning anew what that means to be a Christian in the world today.  We must read and respond to the signs of the times and creatively embrace new ways of engaging in the evangelising mission of the Church in Central Queensland.

Having been involved in both the regional and diocesan assemblies, I believe that I have a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities that our Diocese faces.  With God’s help, I intend to advocate for us during the Plenary Council gatherings and process of discernment.  I am keen to hear your opinions on the discussion papers, to listen to your wisdom and be your voice as Australia collectively discerns what the Holy Spirit is asking of the Church in Australia at this time.  

God bless,

Catherine Simmonds

Catherine Dunbar, Rob Corboy and Fr Matthew

On November 29^th, the Capricorn Coast Parish said farewell to Catherine Dunbar who has served as Principal of St Ursula’s College for the last 15 years. This Mass was presided over by Bishop Michael who was assisted by Deacon Ashwin Acharya and concelebrated by Fr Matthew Moloney. We thank Catherine for her leadership over the years and wish her all the very best for the future.

Moving to another country for work is a challenge for even the experienced traveler.  Imagine the challenges faced by the peoples from the island nations around Australia as they come here to supply the labour so desperately needed on our farms.   Not only do these people, from places like Vanuatu and Timor-Leste, miss their families and communities, there is so much they need to learn to be able to live easily within the Australian culture. 

In the Bundaberg Region, Geoffrey and Jane Smith of the Living Word Church have been providing pastoral care to these farm workers for more than a decade.  Now with the support from ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking of Humans) and the Qld ACRATH Coordinator, Sr Janine Bliss fmm are working to provide practical supports for seasonal workers.  The Bundaberg Project is somewhat unique in providing pastoral care support drawing on the cultural knowledge of Geoffrey and Jane, and the hands on support eg showing workers how to use kitchen items like fridge, freezer etc, assisting with medical appointments, work related issues, as well as welfare and wellbeing issues.  Geoffrey and Jane provide pastoral care as volunteers, and work demanding hours.  They are passionate and committed that the slave conditions from the blackbirding period, are not repeated today with seasonal workers.  ACRATH plays an important role in support and advocacy.  Many of the issues experienced in Bundaberg are national issues affecting seasonal workers.

Many of the problems experienced by the workers could have been lessened if adequate information was offered at the initial induction.  Due to workers having just arrived, their lack of English, and complexity of some of the information, often times the workers do not understand the information shared.  Often it is later, and once a relationship with the Pastoral Care Workers has developed that specific information is needed.  To address this, one of the projects being developed is an Information Pack that can be distributed soon after arrival that will make life so much easier both for the workers, and the farmers who have sponsored them.  When these workers arrive on the farm, the farmer offers them an induction into things like workplace safety, pay slips, taxation and superannuation.  But so much more is needed ongoing. The scope of the challenges faced by these people can be gleaned from some of the items already on the list for the pack.

The seasonal workers need to know:

• The best phone plans for them to be able to contact their families.
• How to get internet access. 
• The location of the shops
• The location of the churches.
• That they must follow Australian law, for example, in regards to getting a driver’s license and following our road rules.  They also need to be aware of laws regarding drug and alcohol use.  And the need to respect sexual equality, ‘No means No’.  (Currently the Australian Federal Police and ACRATH are drawing up a pamphlet/s for this pack.)
• What medical support is available to them, and understanding what their health insurance covers. 

The list goes on.  With such information in one pack, a worker will be able to readily access the information they may need, when they need it.  And hopefully, it will help to access services that may be beyond such a pack.  These packs need to be culturally sensitive and written in the language of the people coming to Australia.  The pack will include initial information needed, and develop information according to needs arising from the workers.  So it will be an ongoing venture.

Recently the High Commissioner for Vanuatu, Samson Vilvil Fare, visited Bundaberg to connect with his community and discern their needs.  He is now liaising with the leaders of the other countries from which these workers come so that working with the Australian Government and the farming community, this ongoing labour project can become a win-win situation for both our Australian people and the peoples of our neighbouring islands. 

The information being put together will be useful for others in the region, and other states.  If you are aware of seasonal workers in your area, interested in finding out more information, or considering being involved with connecting with seasonal workers, please contact Sr Janine (details below).  We really are stronger when we work together.

The overall Bundaberg Project is an innovative project within Australia, providing practical Pastoral Care to seasonal workers.  One of our responses is the development of the Information Pack, and is no small task.  Not only does a variety of information need to be collated, translated and designed, it also needs to be distributed.  And it costs.  If you would like to help by donation, or assist with design ideas, IT suggestions, etc please contact Sr Janine on 0412 185 026 or by email qldcoordinatoracrath.org.au.

As a catholic community, it is important to note that there is an increase in seasonal workers from Timor Leste arriving in the region.  These workers are predominantly Catholic, and staunch Catholic, they would appreciate a Catholic connection and outreach.  This is a relatively new development.  Again if you are involved already, or would like to develop a response please contact Sr Janine who is happy to connect with members of the Catholic communities in the region.

Last month, one of the quiet achievers of the Bundaberg Parish, Kevin Naske, passed away. When I asked the family if we could honour him in this newsletter, there was one request: that we acknowledge the many other quiet achievers, like their father, who have spread so much goodness in their families, in their communities and in our Church.  As you read these eulogies from the Naske family, please remember your own ‘saints’, the people who have transformed our lives because they were, as one of Kev’s sons said, ‘Great at being Good’.

Kevin Roy Naske: Michael Laske's Eulogy

A Man Who Was Great At Being Good

We are at a stage in our post-Vatican history, where many of our parish elders, ordinary people who took the changes to heart and helped shape our parishes, helped establish ministries, committees, and schools, have come to the end of their earthly life. With gratitude we celebrate their contribution to the building up of the kingdom on earth.

Kevin Naske was one of those men for Holy Rosary Parish, Bundaberg. He came to Bundaberg in the late 60’s as a young father of five, pleased to be able to be in a town with a Catholic church, a Catholic school, and a support network for his disabled daughter, Teresa. He soon became very involved in all areas of his new parish’s life and the Naske home soon became known as a welcoming place for parish priests and friends through the years.

Kevin died on 8^th November.

“Kevin lies before us today in a casket that depicts his life and loves. The Tree of Life painted on the lid shows the key aspects of his life – his family, his work, his interests and his pastimes. It was lovingly painted 17 years ago in preparation for today by our mother - Myrl Naske or Mum to us.

Here is his story: Kevin was born into a railway family in Palmwoods in 1932, an only child. 

Following a high school education, part of which was at Nudgee College as a boarder, Kevin took up a career in the Queensland Railway, following his father’s and uncles’ footsteps. While not his first choice of a career, it became his life and ultimately his extended family. Dad served in 57 stations throughout Queensland in various roles including Night Officer, Assistant Station Master and Station Master. Most of the stations he served in are no longer in use or even present.

Kevin married Mum in Brisbane in 1956 and they proceeded to create a long life together - 64 years last month. They made the decision to settle in Bundaberg in 1968 and together they faced the many challenges of raising a large family but also celebrating the many family events, always around the oversized dining table with many family friends invited to join in. It gladdened their heart to be able to share their home with many.

Working for QR helped Dad feel at home with Vinnies – it was a system where you looked out for your mate.  He was a humble man who didn’t boast about helping people. He was proud of helping Sr Assysium RSM bring the St Vincent de Paul Home Nursing service to Bundaberg. Many a Saturday morning saw Dad and his Vinnies mates at the presbytery assisting someone who’d come knocking for help.

He was a man of faith and faithful to his family. Sunday Mass and prayer were important to him.  His church and parish became important to him. He was a member of an early finance committee, the school P&F President at St Joseph’s, a member of the men’s choir at Holy Rosary as well as waist deep in Vinnies doings.

His favourite role though was at “The Count” on a Sunday night. The Count was a group of dedicated and trustworthy people who could be relied upon to count the Parish’s weekly offerings. An invitation to be a member of this group was deemed a privilege and not given lightly.  It was an arduous ministry requiring liquid refreshments and a chat when finished. Many a parish problem was informally solved at the count.

Informal weekly meetings were also held at Jack Kinne’s house to discuss the troubles of the world and work out their Vinnies ventures for the week. Few problems were solved but they had a good time relieving Jack of his rum supply, thus helping the Bundaberg Rum distillery refine its blends and ultimately benefitting the community at large by their regular sampling. 

Dad reached the ripe old age of 88. He and Mum had six children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He knew their names and used technology to the end to stay in touch with them all.

He embraced digital technology, even mastering Siri, the iPad and an iPhone, and would sit for hours on his computer researching his family tree, recipes and general knowledge while his eyesight was still good.

Dad was a man of quiet wisdom, as each of us, his children, can attest to at various moments in our lives.  He was a gentle, reserved man who rarely raised his voice. He loved his peace and quiet, to read biographies, the newspaper or the National Geographic. He visited the library each week when his eyesight was still good. 

Dad’s longevity was not due to his extensive pursuit of an active sporting lifestyle - golf was as strenuous as it got.

Nor was it due to a balanced diet. Sunday roast lunches were a family tradition – the more people around the table, the better. In his retirement he learnt to master the Weber and roasts became his signature dish, especially roast pork with crackling. He became an avid cooking show watcher, and recipe hound.

His longevity was mostly due to his doctor’s skill with the knife and his ruthless pursuit of the skin cancers. For as long as we can remember, Dad was always getting a treatment for one spot or another somewhere - usually on his head.

These operations however big or small showed he was not willing to give up without a fight and again his simple teaching and motto – “you just do what you have to do” – kept him going, until he met his match with this last skin cancer.

Dad was a person who exemplified one who always endeavored to do the right thing by people and do what was needed at the time. At times tough decisions needed to be made but Dad always kept Mum and his family forefront in his mind when making them. His loyalty and thoughts of Mum were there right up to the end.

He was content with his lot in life, didn’t aspire to greatness – just happiness for his family and himself. He worried about his family, all of us, but especially Mum and Teresa, and making the right decision for us. Dad loved his family.

The greatest gift a parent can give their child is the gift of Love. Each of us received that gift, even though it may not have seemed so at times.

The greatest compliment a child can give their parent is to learn from them, and be proud to say “I am my father’s daughter or son.”

Proudly I say: I am my father’s son ………(with a dose of Mother.)

Rest in peace Dad.”

Excerpt from Peter Naske's Eulogy sent by video from New Zealand

I believe the world is full of good people – and Dad was one of them. There are numerous saintly deeds being done daily by countless citizens of the world. People who raise large families, who go without so that children can receive great education, who stress late at night about the well-being of their families, who quietly assist others, who love unconditionally, who beaver away in their community for their community and who never seek recognition. My Dad was one of them without a doubt. He was not unique in this regard; but he was unique to me. He didn’t seek to change the world, but he did change my world.

He was my Dad – a good man – a really good man. And I don’t mean EXCELLENT or PERFECT for he had faults, as we all do. And I don’t mean good like JUST good like AVERAGE or BORING. I mean GOOD like he thought of others. Good like he loved his wife and kids and always worked for them. Good like he always tried to do the right thing and live by Christian values. Good like, I don’t think he had enemies. He was honest, fun, smart, wise and good. He was GREAT at being GOOD. And that is how I feel about him. When I look back at my impression of the 88 year life we are presented with today, I am left with the impression of a man who was Great at being Good.

Peter Naske

Much Celebration in the Central Highlands

December has turned into a very busy month for the Parish of St Patrick’s, Emerald. It begun with the arrival of Deacon Ashwin Acharya who arrived in Emerald, on Saturday 5^th of December to commence his Diaconate. Deacon Ashwin will be with the Parishes of Emerald and Springsure for a period of six months. Deacon Ashwin hit the ground running on his arrival, with Mass on Saturday evening followed by the Twilight Markets that evening, where St Patrick’s sold tickets for their only fundraiser for 2020.

St Patrick’s Parish held a Monster Christmas Raffle, a trailer filled with goodies, donated by businesses and many parishioners and individuals throughout the community. The raffle was held in lieu of our traditional Parish Fair being cancelled, due to Covid-19. The raffle was drawn at the conclusion of Sunday, 13^th December Mass. The lucky winner, a local family, were over the moon with their win. The raffle was a huge success for the Parish. Fathers Truc and Yon wish to thank everyone who contributed to the raffle.

 Joshua, Amanda, Lachlan and Racheal Wolff, receiving their prize from Fr Truc and Deacon Ashwin

Fr Truc Phan celebrated his 14^th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination on Wednesday, 9th December. Deacon Ashwin, Fr Truc and Fr Yon after the Celebration Mass.

Br. Kevin Smith celebrates his 70^th Jubilee of joining the Christian Brothers

This year marks the 70th Anniversary since Emerald local, Brother Kevin Smith entered the Christian Brothers.

Son of Kit & Cecil Smith, Kevin grew up in Emerald attending St Patrick’s primary school and later St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon, before heading to Strathfield Christian Brothers Training College in NSW at the age of 15.

Br Kevin obtained a degree in Education from the University of Queensland and taught in Christian Brothers schools in NSW, Queensland, the ACT and for 14 years in Rabaul, PNG.  He spent time in Rome and in Ireland, the birthplace of Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers. In 1986 Br Kevin began teaching at St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon where he still resides today. 

Br. Kevin has been a member of our St Patrick’s Parish community since 1935. He has maintained his connection to the parish to this day, spending the school holidays and special occasions with his family in Emerald, which includes one of his sisters Kathleen Waldby, brother Terry Smith and also John Smith in Springsure.

This weekend the Christian Brothers and Kevin’s Family will celebrate and recognise his lifelong dedication to Education and the Catholic Church beginning with a Mass at the Holy Trinity Church, Banyo. 

Mass of Remembrance to Say Goodbye

Fr John Daly, Colleen Oberle, Denise Tuzes in front of the cross

Almost a year after a devastating fire ripped through St Mary’s Catholic Church, a Mass of Remembrance was held on Sunday 29^th November, at the usual 9.00am Mass time and on the site of the 68 year-old church, to grieve the loss and say farewell.

A large marquee was erected over the site, transformed into a church complete with sound system, where 200 people celebrated the farewell Mass. Before the liturgy began, we paid respect to the traditional custodians of the land and remembered in silence the past and present members of the St Mary’s faith community. The gathering hymn, “What is this Place?” reminded us that the church is a building, but when we gather in the presence of God, we become the Body of Christ, the Church.

It was quite appropriate that the Mass in Remembrance was held on the first Sunday of Advent, symbolically stating a new beginning. We say goodbye to the old and look forward to the arrival or the coming of the new.

Fr John Daly presided at the Mass, himself an original member of the St Mary’s community since childhood. Frs Peter, Gasper and Terry concelebrated. Father John said his family has been with St Mary’s since the very first day as they lived just down the street. Walking with neighbours to Mass on Sunday as a child is one of his fondest memories of St Mary’s Church. The community was forming even before reaching the church.

St Mary’s has a long tradition as a small, welcoming, alive community. The St Mary’s people seemed to have stayed together, gathering each Sunday morning in St Patrick’s church. They continue to be a people who share a common history.

Mrs Biddy Dwyer and apex cross    Colleen Cameron says Thank You to Mrs Jackie Habermann

Memories and stories were shared after the Mass over a cuppa and a browse through the memorabilia display was a must. Whether they were fond or sad memories, a sense of celebration and camaraderie abounded. The processional cross, restored tabernacle door, the celtic cross from the apex of the roof, and the large wooden cross on the front wall of the church managed to be salvaged and displayed.

The morning was a great success thanks to the mighty efforts of a team of organisers and the people who came to remember, to celebrate, and pay tribute to a little wooden church that became home to many over its lifetime.

GOOD NEWS

We all agree that this was a year like no other. Across the Diocese people have adapted to changed routines and plans, directed by State Government Covid regulations. Some have embraced the changes and become creative in their attempts to remain connected with their parishioners, families, and students.

Here in Bundaberg we were no different. Little did we know that within our office walls we had two technologically-skilled front-office staff, a super-human Parish Manager who could make hand sanitizer appear overnight, landscape, and pull an outdoor event for 200 people together, parishioners who were willing to make phone calls and drop off bulletins, and a priest who quickly developed interview and on-camera skills and realised that every effort needed to be made in order to advance through the year, even as plans changed.  

We would like to share our year with you through our annual parish magazine, “Good News”, this year entitled “2020 New Vision”. Simply, we had a plan for the year in January which changed dramatically in February and March. We developed a “new vision” of parish life.

Please enjoy reading our news at the link:

LOOKING AHEAD

The Parish Team will meet to plan for 2021 on their planning day, Monday, 14^th December. We will look at our hopes and dreams for the parish, not knowing when government regulations will ease, but hoping for sooner rather than later. We are still waiting for a Christmas miracle from our Premier allowing us to open our churches to everyone for Christmas.

Meantime, we look forward to celebrating the coming of our Lord, Jesus, at Christmas time. We pray that all in our Diocesan family enjoy a safe, happy, and holy Christmas in the company of loved ones. We wait with anticipation to see what 2021 brings us.

Anne Sheehan

Just before the end of the school year St Joseph’s School received an award from the Jump Rope for Heart Foundation to acknowledge and thank Miss Emma Martin and the students for the hard work they did in raising $19,892. This was proudly accepted by Miss Martin on behalf of the School.     

When the decision was made that St Mary’s Parish Fair would be cancelled for 2020, Miss Stephanie March came up with a very creative idea – have 12 weeks of Christmas with each week having a different activity. So with the generosity of the local businesses, the parishioners, and the families of St Joseph’s we comme

nced! There was fun and laughter after Sunday Mass when the parishioners had to try to place a fifty-cent coin on a lemon. The ladies of the parish ran two street stalls with great success while the iconic ham wheel was transported to the Commercial Hotel where tickets were sold out very quickly!

These weeks of activities brought both the school and the parish closer together and the parishioners were overwhelmed by the generosity of people. All in all, $14 000 give or take was raised, more than was anticipated. To show St Mary’s appreciation for the hard work Stephanie put into running this, they presented her with a gift of amethyst earrings.

Sr Helen Archer rsj

L to R. Kevin Mcintosh, Kathleen Larson-McGill and Alan Borg

On the night of Monday, 30th November, a good crowd turned up for the last dinner for 2020. We have had excellent guest speakers for our dinners. One member who has attended dinners for the last 25 years said ‘ I have enjoyed listening to everyone who has spoken in this time’.

At all our dinners we say the Prayer to Mary MacKillop followed by a reflection for five minutes on a religious subject. Rex Fraser (a Chaplin at Mirani High School) spoke about ”weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 shows us that God is with us in our darkest, despairing moments. By God’s grace we endure, get back up and joy comes again. Hope is eternal, our lives change but God doesn’t. We suffer broken promises, heartbreak and betrayal yet God is ever faithful. Let him dry your tears, His mercies are new every morning. Yesterday ended last night, it’s a new day, make up your mind to ENJOY it. 

Kevin McEvoy said grace, and after an enjoyable meal our guest speaker Kathleen Larsen-McGill gave a most interesting talk. Kathleen immediately revealed her Irish origins, but she did grow up in North London.  Kathleen had a love for horse racing, inherited from her father. This passion led to a career with Sky Racing UK. ‘ It was a wonderful job visiting racecourses and stables seeing the best horses, meeting owners, trainers and jockeys. It was a great life’. It was on a holiday trip to Australia that she met her future husband Craig. Her first taste of married life was living in Gove in the Northern Territory, quite a contrast coming from the cold of Ireland/England to the heat of the N T. Eventually Kathleen and Craig moved to Mackay. At one stage Kathleen was Parish Secretary at St Francis and St Marys.

Presently Kathleen is a Location Supervisor with Mackay Funerals.  She gave us a position description of working in such a place and also gave plenty of information about the funeral / cremation industry and the fallacy of many thoughts of what happens in the industry. At the finish of the talk questions kept coming on and on and Kathleen was keen to keep answering. Once again everyone enjoyed listening to Kathleen.

After the talk there was plenty of laughter and best wishes to one another for a Happy and Holy Christmas. Our next dinner is in February.

To Bishop Michael, Sr Kym and anyone else involved with the ‘Bishops Newsletter’ and to all the contributors and readers, we wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas.

Graham Featherstone

Star of the Sea Women's Group

Our Women's group held their first morning tea get together in late November to seek out ideas of what the group would look like.

Bringing 31 women together across the parish, a great morning was held by all with activities and a luscious morning tea. The steering committee are sifting through the feedback to establish the next stage with a name, and its mission.

Steering committee meeting with guidance form Father Simeon

Catholic Charismatic Renewal SOS Parish Gladstone

Catholic Charismatic Renewal has been a ministry at Our Lady Star of the Sea since 1978.

CCR Gladstone has made changes since COVID 19 closed us down. The time in isolation was to some degree a blessing for it helped us to contemplate and evaluate what we were doing, being able to come aside with the Lord and seek him.

Changes that incurred were, prayer meetings changed from Monday fortnightly meetings to weekly meetings on a Sunday to accommodate a CCR Youth Component. There have been a few causalities since changing the day. This ministry is in its early stages. Presently the youth have been journeying through the Alpha Course for youth and will complete the course with a weekend of prayer, fun and food on 12,13,14^th December. The CCR leadership team through prayer and deliberation and by the grace of the Holy Spirit worked on a new ‘Vision & Mission Statement’ which was presented to the people and is now in place.

Our aim is to carry out the call of Pope Francis for Catholic Charismatic Renewal to be ‘A Current of Grace for the whole Church’ to maintain the identity & core mission of CCR, encouraging a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Baptism in the Holy Spirit and growing in all of the Charisms and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Intercessory Prayer Group meet for an hour on a Monday in the parish hall to pray for our parish, diocese and CCR.

Plans for 2021 is to use more digital methods for outreach as well as the personal and corporate approach. Anyone who would like to join with us are very welcome in 2021.

May all have a fruitful journey through this Advent Season, a very blessed Christmas and new beginnings for 2021.

Colleen Mullins

Welcoming Luke into the Catholic Chuch

A deep seated search for the Truth!

St Francis School Principal Kathleen Watt,        Father Andrew, Terri (mum and Luke)
APRE Meredith Grove, Elizabeth, sponsor
and Luke

Family roots, tradition, the systems and symbols that embody our deep seated sense of the Truth, of who we are, where we came from, our purpose in life and where we are going. A special time to search, discover and renew, the passing on from one generation to another, whilst respectfully upholding another for love and peace, can all only be done through the most powerful Love of all, Our Heavenly Father's patient Grace. As community comes together its strength is shown in bringing each person along on this journey. The strength and importance of school traditions, parish, priests and sponsoring friendships of love are all ingredients that add the essential spice and fragrance to life, a life enriched as one continues a very personal, peaceful life long journey of continued love in living out The Truth, as we “come to God as little children, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them,’ Matthew 19:14. So with childlike trust we all follow the Truth with much guidance and support along the way, a most truly enriching journey of love, peace, hope and joy!

The leadership team, finance team and some parishioners gathered at Fr Matthew’s home for a look at the past year, and what the next year might bring. This discussion was followed by some food and good company.

John and Margaret McKenna were presented with a Papal Blessing at the conclusion of Mass on December 5^th. They were married 50 years ago on this day, at St Vincent’s Church, Wandal. John organised this blessing as a surprise for Margaret. Congratulations John and Margaret and we wish you many more years together.

Our meet in the middle for both sides of our parish was held once again at the Benedictine Monastery, hosted by Sr Kym. This was our Christmas get together and was attended  by twenty parishioners. There is always a lot of talking, laughing, coffee and scrumptious food, which definitely helps to lift one’s spirit. See you all next year on February 8^th!!

We would like to wish the staff, students and families of our parish schools a safe and happy holiday.

Saint Vincent de Paul, Mary Immaculate Conference

Vinnies conference members, shop volunteers and spouses got together for a celebration of Christmas at the Lions Park last Friday night. It was well attended and all the participants are to be thanked for the efforts they have put in throughout a very abnormal year. However, despite the initial shut-down of the charity centre and the introduction of regulations due to COVID-19 pandemic (restricted shop numbers, social distancing, welfare cases interviewed via phone etc.) both the conference and the shop continued operating, supporting those needing help in our area. There has been a noticeable decrease in the number of welfare cases the conference has seen each month over the course of 2020. It is consistent with the experience of other conferences, and other charities, after the government introduced Job Seeker, which raised the former Newstart payments from $550 per fortnight to $550 per week. However, as this payment has been recently reduced, we are seeing more people needing assistance. We expect the upward trend to continue when Job Seeker and Job Keeper are phased out in the new year.

Christmas hampers will be prepared and distributed during this week. These are mainly given to families with young children where the parents have experienced financial difficulty over the past twelve months and they are very much appreciated by the recipients.

We wish to thank all parishioners for their support throughout 2020. The money and goods which you donate via the “Poor Box” at church or to the shop allows us to continue to assist the poor and disadvantaged within our community.

We would also like to congratulate Vicki McCosker as the new President of Saint Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart Conference and thank Rick Williams, the outgoing President, for all he has accomplished during his time of service.

Have a safe and happy family Christmas.

Paul Jaeger                                                                                                       Valmay Burns

Conference president                                                                                    Charity Centre Manager

Our Parish would like to wish your Parish, a very Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Hello Friends

Please find below information on the first cycle of formation/education courses for 2021 from the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (University of Dayton). Please share with those you think may be interested.

This is a wonderful opportunity to take a 3 or 5 week course on a specific mission or interest area in our Church, learning at your own pace online with others from many parts of the world.

To see what is on offer this January please click here.

If you would like some assistance or more information please contact me. 

I hope you have a happy and holy Christmas.

God bless

Joy Philippi

joy.philippi@rok.catholic.net.au

St Brendan’s College is leading innovation to change the future of education and employment in Central Queensland.

St Brendan’s College is honoured and excited to be a Foundation School Member of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program: Information and Communication Technology. The College is one of only five foundation schools in Queensland, and the only one in the Central region. The program enables the College to partner with industry in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to inform the delivery of education and future skills of graduates.

By partnering with industry, the College is providing young men with direct pathways to employment and / or further learning. The benefits of St Brendan’s College and industry partnerships will allow the next generation to drive and influence our regional economy through the fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Gateway to Industry Schools program is a key industry engagement strategy for the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT). The department's vision for all Queenslanders to have the skills and opportunities to participate and prosper in the modern economy is strengthened through programs and experiences provided through the Gateway to Industry Schools program (GISP).

The ICT GISP enables partnerships between schools and industry to provide experiential learning for young people, so that they may acquire the knowledge, skills and attributes to participate effectively in a modern, digital economy. The ICT industry and the education sectors can work together in partnership under the program, to deliver outcomes for schools, students and local communities.

St Brendan’s College has partnered with Livingstone Shire Council to provide experience, expertise, and mentorship in the use of technology in the workplace. Through future engagements, this partnership will support students by providing authentic workplace examples and experiences of the application of technology to drive collaboration, efficiency, improvement, and effective communication. Teachers will also benefit through working with Livingstone Shire Council and other industry experts to ensure the learning experiences delivered to students have a strong connection to industry application.

Head of Department - Information Technology at St Brendan’s College, Miss Sheridan Simms said “working with Mr Willcocks and the ICT group at Livingstone Shire Council will give the students a chance to solve real world problems and then test their solutions in an industry environment. They will be able to access learnings and knowledge of ICT professionals across a wide range of areas. ICT is no longer just programming behind a computer screen and this partnership will give the boys a chance to experience many of the different aspects of an ICT based career”. She is excited to see how this partnership will evolve.

Principal, Mr Robert Corboy, said the ‘College is excited by the opportunity to partner with one of the largest employers on the Capricorn Coast, the Livingstone Shire Council. The diversity of their operation and the experiences our students will be able to tap into is immeasurable.

The program is a wonderful initiative of the State Government that will allow our students to acquire knowledge, skills and attributes through real life industry experiences. The synergy between school and industry will assist our students in their career choices and pathways to employment.’ Head of Vocational Education and Training, Mr Andrew Lawrence believes ‘the access to up-to date and relevant industry information regarding jobs and career pathways combined with the values and attitudes St Brendan’s develop in their young men, will be a powerful influence in future years contributing to change and success in industry direction and operations.’

On Wednesday 11 November, the Australian Computer Society’s ICT GISP Project Manager Matthew Jorgensen presented certificates to St Brendan’s College and Livingstone Shire Council, officially welcoming both parties into the Information and Communication Technology Gateway to Industry Schools Program.

Dr Maree Ganley celebrated the launch of her book, The Long Road to School: Sea Pictures of a Convent Boarding School: St Ursula’s College, in Yeppoon on Tuesday 24 November.

Guests present at the launch, held at St Ursula’s College, included members of the College Board, past students, and Capricorn Coast Parish Priest, Fr Matthew Moloney.

Head of Religious and Cultural Studies at St Ursula’s, Ms Kathy Strelow, formally introduced Dr Ganley to the audience.

In her address, Ms Strelow noted one of the themes which emerged in the text was the powerful legacy left by the Presentation Sisters.

“The stories are poignant, as the reader realises how hard the Sisters worked,” Ms Strelow said.

“Findings and years of research are now accessible to the wider community,” said Ms Strelow.

Dr Ganley presented two fully restored works of art by Doris Whitwell - a student of the College in the 1920s – to St Ursula’s Principal, Mrs Catherine Dunbar, so that they could be enjoyed by future generations of students.

“We are truly delighted to receive these artworks, Ships on the Fitzroy (1922) and Twin Dogs (1923) which were drawn by Doris when she was a teenager at the College, and sourced by Dr Ganley during her extensive research,” Mrs Dunbar said.

I SAW

I saw

Elbow bumps and sanitiser,

1.5 metres, ropes, and yellow x’s.

Studio sound & lighting as

Priest became Presenter.

I saw

Bulletins delivered weekly

Bulletins online.

Phone calls being made to strangers

Church Chat and Livestreaming

Meetings held on Zoom.

Facebook and Youtube,

Everyone united for a cause.

I saw

Families walking

Traffic at a minimum.

Working from home.

Spiritual Communion

From Bundaberg to Rome.

Closed doors

Entrance and Exit only.

I saw

Front-line workers

Compassionate people.

Concern for each other.

I saw

A new way of being Church

Opportunities and creativity

I liked what I saw.

I saw

New possibilities.

Will you see?


Anne Sheehan